Western Buckeye Christian Service Camp & Retreat Center, established in 1946, initially rented Camp Wakonda in Sidney, Ohio, for several years. In 1966, we acquired land in Houston, Ohio—some of it donated—which remains our current site. When interstate 75 was built, a motel in Vandalia, Ohio had to be taken down. Volunteers from several supporting churches helped dismantle those buildings and reconstruct them at our location. Today, our chapel, girls’ dorm, two cabins, and boys’ dorm are still in use.

The original vision for our summer camp program was to encourage students to consider ministry as a possible career path. Thanks to the commitment of local churches and individuals, we continue to make a positive impact on young lives for the Kingdom of God. One of our greatest strengths is providing campers with an environment that quiets the noise of daily life and offers appropriate age sessions. Creating a welcoming community and opportunities to experience nature remain vital aspects of our mission.

We are excited to participate in The Community Foundation of Shelby County’s Match Day program. Every dollar given during this campaign will be matched up to $5,000. Your generous support will help us enhance our facilities and bring joy to our campers. This year, our focus is on our youngest attendees; funds raised through the Matching Fund Program will go toward building a new playground area—another valuable way to give campers more outdoor experiences in God’s creation.

We invite you to consider donating to Western Buckeye Christian Service Camp & Retreat Center. Your contribution will help us create joyful experiences for our youngest campers by supporting our ministry and mentorship efforts at our facility. Our longstanding history shows that ongoing prayer and support from generous individuals like you have been essential to our success. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.